The Scovil history begins in Cornwall, a rugged coastal region in southwestern England. Quite distinct from Devon, the adjoining county, Cornwall had its own spoken language until the late 18th century. The Scovil history began here. The manner in which hereditary surnames arose is interesting. Local surnames were derived from where the original bearer lived, was born, or held land. Unlike most Celtic peoples, who favored patronymic names, the Cornish predominantly used local surnames. The Scovil family originally lived in Cornwall. Their name however, is derived from the village of Scoville,Normandy, where the family lived before arriving with the Norman Conquest in the 11th century.

Scovil Early Origins

The surname Scovil was first found in Cornwall where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor of St. Austell and also having branches at Mavaggissey, Polrudden, Tregonnan and Menagwins. Another reference claims this name in old Cornish language signifies broom-plant. "The family have flourished for a long series of generations, in knightly and gentle degree, in that part of England." [1]CITATION[CLOSE]Lowe, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print. The first one record was Thomas de Scobbahull, Sheriff of Devon in 1291.

Scovil Spelling Variations

Scovil Spelling Variations

Cornish surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The official court languages, which were Latin and French, were also influential on the spelling of a surname. Since the spelling of surnames was rarely consistent in medieval times, and scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings of their surname in the ancient chronicles. Moreover, a large number of foreign names were brought into England, which accelerated and accentuated the alterations to the spelling of various surnames. Lastly, spelling variations often resulted from the linguistic differences between the people of Cornwall and the rest of England. The Cornish spoke a unique Brythonic Celtic language which was first recorded in written documents during the 10th century. However, they became increasingly Anglicized, and Cornish became extinct as a spoken language in 1777, although it has been revived by Cornish patriots in the modern era. The name has been spelled Scobell, Scobel, Schobell, Schobel, Scobahull, Scobbahull, Scobhull, Scobhill, Scoble, Scobal and many more.

Scovil Early History

Scovil Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Scovil research. Another 237 words (17 lines of text) covering the years 1291, 1610 and 1660 are included under the topic Early Scovil History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Scovil Early Notables (pre 1700)

Scovil Early Notables (pre 1700)

Another 27 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Scovil Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

The Great Migration

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Scovil Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. Daniel Scovil U.E. born in Waterbury, Connecticut, USA who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 he was a Merchant, died in 1822 [2]CITATION[CLOSE]Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X

Mr. Ezra Scovil U.E. born in Waterbury, Connecticut, USA who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 he was an Alderman, died in 1825 in Granville, Nova Scotia [2]CITATION[CLOSE]Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X

Contemporary Notables of the name Scovil (post 1700)

Contemporary Notables of the name Scovil (post 1700)

Carlos P. Scovil, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from Lewis County, 1842; Member of New York State Senate 5th District, 1843-46

The Scovil Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Scovil Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.